Temecula's Special Games, Smiles For All, Rain Or Shine

TEMECULA, CA — What matters more than seeing your loved ones shine? This weekend, the Temecula Special Games returned after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. For Temecula's special needs families, gathering together to celebrate their loved ones with developmental disabilities being out at the fields means everything.

On Saturday, from 9 to 11 a.m., over 150 special needs families got their time to shine at the Temecula Valley Special Games held at Great Oak High School.

The free event was sponsored by the City of Temecula and the Temecula Valley Unified School District and the Comprehensive Autism Center, Dis Ability Sports Foundation, Clinica Medica Familiar, JDB Training, SLDC Speech and Language Development Center and Temecula Valley Therapy Services.

Since the inaugural event in 2008, the Temecula Special Games are something our special needs families look forward to every year.

On Saturday morning, the spirit of friendly non-competitive fun returned in full force.
Shandel and Eric Willis bring their son Myles, now 11-years-old, out for his special day. According to the Willis family, this is Myles's time to shine every year.

His first trip to the games was in 2013, at just 2-years-old.

Each year, they return for his chance to play for his medal.

"Now, he's reached the point he only wants to play the games with his buddy, not with us!" Shandel Willis said. She says that Myles starts his baseball season next week, but she knows where to find him during the special games.

After so many years of attending, the best part is seeing old and new faces, she said. "I actually get to stop and talk for a bit!"

The city was planning the 2020 games when coronavirus came to town. Since then, special needs families in the valley have waited to return.

"It's super exciting to have such a great turnout a couple of years after hiatus," says Willa Augustine, City of Temecula's special events coordinator said. "We were a little unsure how turnout was going to be during the rain, but we have seen about 300 people attend between athletes, parents and volunteers."

City workers and volunteers gathered to set up the games and prepare the athletic field for a series of games and activities.

This year, the city offered a total of 21 games and sporting stations that were run by volunteers.

Six sponsor booths offered information to families while cosplay actors milled among the crowd.

Athletes enjoyed their hand at baseball, t-ball, basketball, football throw, soccer kick, 50-yard dash and even yoga and bounce houses.

Athletes took part in the opening ceremonies, games and sporting events throughout the day, and at the finale, an award ceremony gave the spotlight to each participant.

All athletes received a participation medal and volunteers earned community service hours.

The Willis family told Patch how much the event means to them, thanking the city for the work and preparation that goes into the games. All of that hard work does not go unnoticed, she added. "We are truly thankful."